If you’re testing using an online tool, the “where” is really the participant’s PC or tablet or phone, wherever it may be. While their device is out of your control, you can check some things up front:

• Do you know of any firewalls or network restrictions that will hamper certain participant groups in your audience?
  This is most common when targeting users in a large organization.
  
  
• Are your participants running a compatible browser?
  Again, this is mostly a problem with large organizations who may be locked into older browser versions, or with users who have older mobile devices.
  
  

For more on dealing with this, see ~Chapter N, Piloting A Test.

If you’re testing on paper, or doing an online test face-to-face with a participant (see ~ for reasons why you would want to do this), then the “where” becomes important.

While a full discussion of how to host participants is beyond the scope of this book, there are some basic points you should consider when planning an in-person session:

• move to recruiting/running-a-test chapters

• When recruiting participants, be clear how much time you will need (20-30 minutes for the tree test and subsequent discussion, more if you’re doing additional activities with them).
  
  
• Also be clear that this is a one-on-one session (not a group session that they can more easily blow off), and that they’ll be reading text (from cards or a computer screen) so they should be reading glasses if they need them.
  
  
• If they’re visiting you, be sure you give them clear directions and/or a map, parking tips (if they’re driving), and what to do when they arrive (wait at reception, walk up to the second floor, go to room 101, etc.).
  
  
• If you are visiting them, find out where to park, and don’t go alone (for both your security and theirs). Oh, and take slippers (in case you need to remove your shoes).
  
  
• Confirm your session with the participant the day before, and exchange mobile phone numbers in case something goes wrong on the day.
  
  

For more on hosting user-research sessions, see ~web resource or UT book.

Next: Who will do what?